The bill seeking to expand the authority of religious courts to adjudicate civil matters would actually spell the creation of a judiciary funded by public resources but operating outside the civil system and the values of Israel’s Basic Laws.

Although the proposed law explicitly states that such litigation would require the written consent of all sides involved, women, particularly in religious and conservative circles, may face social and familial pressure to agree to adjudicate in religious courts, even if they do not wish to do so. The proposed law depicts such a choice as “voluntary,” but in practice many women could be facing a coercive environment that precludes genuine opposition.

 Zulat’s position is that such a law would seriously impair women’s rights and disadvantaged populations, the principle of equality, the Israeli legal system, and the right of access to court of Israeli citizens. Expanding the authority of religious tribunals would jeopardize Israel’s status as a democratic state and pave the way for an unequal, exclusionary, and discriminatory judicial pathway under government sponsorship and funding.

It won’t stop with women. If the bill passes, religious courts would also be able to adjudicate matters traditionally reserved for labor courts. How might this affect you? It could impact on your pension rights and other social benefits, employer-employee relations, and the right to appeal rulings.